The Path of the Queen

Some people are born ordinary but destined for greatness, like me. However, I didn't realize this until I turned ten. In my brief and joyful childhood, there was no trace of privilege or fame. In the fields where skylarks sang and soared, my friends and I ran barefoot. Golden waves of wheat embraced our small bodies, wildflowers and earth exuding charming fragrances. We chased after milk carts and peddler's wagons like a pack of untamed wild children. But this dreamlike happiness only lasted until the spring before my tenth birthday. For a long time, I didn't understand why I was brought back to the palace. But I knew it was my destiny. Accepting fate but never bowing down. Because this is my empire. — Williamina I, "Prologue of My Memoir" "Prepare for artillery fire ahead! Flank the enemy from the right, Fourth Legion, get ready, attack—" With a lively and childish shout, a group of half-grown children burst out from behind haystacks, running wildly, kicking up dirt as they dashed down the hillside. Leading the charge was a girl, her hair as golden as straw, her dress covered in mud. She wielded a wooden stick taller than her, exuding boldness as she took the lead. As the children charged down the hill, the enemy below also emerged from behind the grass, and the two sides engaged in fierce combat. The golden-haired tomboy showed remarkable skill, disarming her opponents with ease and pinning them to the ground. She straddled a boy, pressing her hand against his neck. "Surrender! Tell me, do you surrender!" The red-haired boy was pinned down tightly, but he stubbornly refused to yield. The children surrounded them, chanting loudly, "Vivian! Vivian! Vivian!" "Come on, surrender! If you surrender, I'll be merciful to you, accept your submission, and offer you friendship!" The lines from a TV drama had become her mantra. The red-haired boy, struggling under her, finally managed to squeeze out two words from between his teeth: "I surrender..." "Yeah!" The children cheered, "The Rose Legion has seized the high ground!" The golden-haired girl got off the boy, lifting her head proudly. "Derek, you're useless." The boy scrambled to his feet, brushing off the grass from his hair. "You're supposed to be the heir of the Beacos family, yet you surrendered so easily." The boy protested with a hint of grievance, "But you're too strong! You pinned me down so I couldn't move at all." The girl suddenly leaned in close to the boy's face, her sea-blue eyes locking onto his. This made the boy's face even redder, his freckles standing out even more. "You're just a year older than me, Derek. Don't embarrass yourself. Join our Rose Legion. I promise you endless wealth and eight wives." "I don't want eight wives." The boy muttered, "My mom said I can only have one wife. She said I should marry you so our family can be related to the imperial family." "Shut up!" The girl grabbed the boy's collar fiercely, "If you mention this again, I'll punch you." "You, you, you can't punch me..." The boy stammered, "My mom said you're a lady, you can't..." Before he could finish, the girl punched him square in the face, sending him sprawling on the ground. The children cheered and surrounded him. Williamina skillfully pinned Derek's hands with her knees, then raised her small fist and aimed it at his face. Derek hadn't endured more than a few hits before bursting into tears. "Now do you know if I'm a lady?" Williamina exclaimed triumphantly. "Vivian! Vivian!" A small boy ran over, wiping his nose as he spoke, "I saw several big, black, beautiful land cars drive into your estate." Williamina stopped and stood up. Derek scrambled to his feet, rubbing the grass out of his hair. "Visitors at home?" The girl's eyes sparkled with joy, "It must be Dad! Dad must be coming to see me!" She whistled loudly, and a three-colored tabby cat jumped down from a tree, landing on her shoulder. "Lucy, Dad is here!" Williamina hopped onto her hoverboard and zoomed off. The planet Monslanka, among the countless stars of the Galactic Empire, was a naturally suitable but very remote one for human habitation. The main industries here were agriculture and tourism, with a sparse population and simple folkways. Skylark Manor was located in the western hemisphere, with vast plains and dense forests, divided by canyons. There were several large farms here, and Williamina's grandparents' Skylark Manor was one of them. The main house of the manor was a gray building, simple and solemn, surrounded by flowers. Williamina parked her hoverboard under the fence and jumped lightly onto the terrace, sneaking to the French windows of the studio. Grandpa was talking to guests. The man sat furthest inside, his face shrouded in the shadow of the curtains. He wore the uniform of the Imperial officer, the silver patterns on his chest dazzling. "Yes, the servants have gone to find her," Grandpa Raymond said quietly. "I hope we haven't caused you any trouble." "It's only right, Your Excellency. We are all deeply sorry for what happened." "She doesn't know yet?" "We don't know how to tell her." "Then allow me to do it." "Vivian is a strong child..." Williamina wanted to get closer when suddenly a large hand lifted her up. A tall soldier looked down at her, then smiled kindly. "My lady." He said, opening the French windows, "Your Excellency, Miss Williamina has been found." "Vivian?" Grandma exclaimed and rushed over to hug her, "Sweetheart, how did you get dirty again?" "I went to war with Derek and them," the child said. Mrs. Raymond gave a stiff smile and then stood up, pushing the child towards the guests. "This is His Excellency, Hans Bog, do you remember the manners I taught you?" Williamina looked at Grandma in confusion, then awkwardly bowed to the person. "Good day, Your Excellency." The handsome man kneeled down in front of her, took her muddy little hand, and kissed it. He smiled gently, treating the child as if she were an angel. "Miss Williamina, I am Owen Hans Bog. Executive Officer of the Imperial Ministry of State. I have been sent to bring you back to the capital." In her bewildered state, Williamina caught familiar words, "Did Dad send you to pick me up? Where's Dad?" Hans Bog exchanged a helpless look with Mr. and Mrs. Raymond. "His Highness is waiting for you in the capital, Miss." Williamina looked towards Grandma. Mrs. Raymond turned away in pain. "Will Grandpa and Grandma go with me?" "No, sweetheart, they can't for now. But I promise they will definitely go to the capital in the future." The little girl nodded, somewhat trusting. The man smiled satisfactorily, "We'll leave tomorrow." Williamina was taken away. At night, Grandma came to her room. Williamina got her wish and slept with Grandma again. Mrs. Raymond hugged the child, humming a lullaby that had once put her daughter to sleep. "Mary Rose cut her hair short, jumped on the mail coach, and left home. The spaceship at the port is about to set sail, she slipped into the cabin to escape the crowd. The sky is an ocean of stars, and good children's dreams are about to depart..." "Grandma," Williamina asked softly, "Did Mary Rose ever come back home?" Mrs. Raymond's eyes glistened with tears in the darkness, "She came back, dear, she eventually came back. And so will you, my darling." In fact, Rebecca Raymond, the daughter, never returned, and now, her daughter was about to set off. "Are you crying?" "No, I'm just tired." "Then let's sleep." "Okay, sweetheart." The next day, the nanny dressed Williamina in a new black dress and put a white bow on her. The little girl, with her satin-like golden hair, white socks, clear eyes, and delicate face, bore unmistakable traces of royal blood. "What a beautiful child," Hans Bog praised sincerely. "Can I bring Lucy to see Dad?" Williamina held her big tabby cat. "Of course, my lady." Hans Bog bent down, took the child's hand, and led her away. Williamina suddenly felt a little panicked and turned to look at her grandparents. Mr. Raymond came over and hugged her tightly. "My sweetheart, my baby." He handed her a pocket watch, "This is your mother's thing, keep it safe. Remember, your mother is a strong and kind woman. Whenever you encounter any setbacks in the future, think of her." "Yes, Grandpa." Mr. Raymond whispered in his granddaughter's ear, "Don't let them know what you're thinking." The child nodded, tiptoed, kissed her grandfather's old face, and was then sent off to the car. The convoy quietly left Skylark Manor, speeding along the road, with harvested wheat fields and cornfields on both sides. When the car passed by the hill where the children had played yesterday, Williamina saw her friends standing on the hill. The children of the Rose Legion cheered when they saw the convoy, "Vivian! Onward! Vivian! Onward!" Derek's red hair looked a bit lonely in the crowd, as he watched the convoy go by without saying anything. Suddenly, he sprinted down the hill towards the departing convoy. "Vivian—" the boy shouted, but the hovercraft easily left him far behind. Williamina leaned against the car window, tears streaming down her cheeks. She was a precocious child, adept at hiding her feelings, but she was still young and couldn't control her tears. Through the blurred tears, Skylark Manor disappeared into a dot, the land where she had grown up gradually fading away. This year, she had just turned ten, and she already knew she wasn't simply leaving her homeland. In fact, after this farewell, Williamina never set foot on the planet Monslanka again. In the year 7375 of the Imperial Calendar, on May 3rd, the spaceship Everhanmer docked at the air harbor of the Imperial capital. The hatch opened, and it was Hans Bog, a regular executive officer of the Ministry of State, who held Williamina's hand as they stepped onto the land of the capital, Odin.